Archivist, poet, Randy Roark, remembers Allen’s response – “He saw a working copy at one point and, after it was over, said, “So that’s who I am?”

Aronson himself recalls, “I showed Allen the finished film in 1992 when it was really done, and he had not watched much of it, and I was anxious, waiting for his response. When it was over he said, “So that’s Allen Ginsberg?” And I nervously said, “Well?”. He responded “OK”, thank goodness…..A year later I was invited to Thanksgiving at Eugene’ (his brother)’ s house in Long Island with the whole family. They had not seen the film, so Allen had me bring a copy. To them it was a home-movie, and they were laughing and talking about how cute they looked. Allen glanced at me and gave me the OK sign. That’s when I knew it was really finished”.

Upcoming this Fall – from Three Rooms Press – William Burroughs in Conversation with Allen Ginsberg – “Don’t Hide The Madness” – transcripts from a week-long’s conversations, in 1992, in Lawrence, Kansas. Here’s the suitably mesmeric R.Crumb cover.

Sad, sad, the news this week of the passing of the great Nicanor Parra – but at 103! – what a rich and extraordinary life! His international reputation, indisputable – Here‘s PEN International. Here‘s Chile’s El Ciudadano. Marcelo Simoneti notes the Beat connection briefly – here.